Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-01-27

in Richmond was never wanting to
the necessary costs of these expedi-
tions. and while / studied plans and
Notifications my staunch friend sought
a way for me to travel northward in
comparative safety. A passport was
obtained for me as George W. Watson.
a teamster, in part of a wagon train
sent into Westmoreland county to
seek supplies. Quarles had mean
while decided to accompany me, and
a passport was obtained for him as
Lucas A. Rice.
On February 7 our train left the
city, hsadsd nerthwzrsi, AID led By
one Shehan, our wagon-master. Be-
tween US and the Potomac stretched
the coEdons of seven lines of pickets,
supposedly alert. By noon We had
passed safely through three of these
and covered eighteen miles, meeting
with our first adventure. His white
hair streaming in the wind, an old
man galloped BY us shouting an ex-
cited warning to hide in the woods as
the Yankees under Butler were ad-
vancing. The rumor proved true
one, for We soon saw that the country
was up to meet the foe. So into the
woods we went, and after waiting an
hour or two ! left the teams to recon-
noitre, and almost before / was aware
OF it had Numbered into an ambus-
cade near the roadside. | do not
know if or the sergeant in charge
Of the party was the most surprised,
but | was in their midst before either
Of US realized the proximity of the
other. Promptly was greeted with
a hail Of questions and as promptly
replied that | was government team
ster, sent after supplies, and had at
the alarm hidden with my train in
the woods, hoping to evade any of
Butler's scouts. Not fully satisfied,
The sergeant ordered me to be taken
before his commanding officer, who
Was three miles away. l protested
against the delay and offered
my pass as proof that ! was on gov
ernment business. Reluctantly and
but half convinced, the sergeant de-
eided to hold me under guard while
L mounted messenger bore my papers
10 headquarters.
At last was permitted to rejoin
my train. Possibly to scan me more
closely tho same courier rode beside
me for mile or two, plying me with
talk and seeking in various ways 10
surprise me into an admission that |
was really bound for Baltimore. But
repealed his insinuations with so
much show OF indignation as deemed
prudent ard finally got rid of him to
ny great relief. Night overlook Us
when We were about twenty eight |
miles from Richmond, and there halt |
was called and We camped within the !
walls Of ruined church. Late in the |
night our party was aroused by the |
ramp Of horsemen and awoke to find |
he building surrounded by guerrillas. |
These took forcibie possession OF us
or time and, placing me under
guard, was taken aside to be ques-
Toned closely, and while this was in
progress my attention was caught by |
. voice among the strangers quietly |
as though not meant for
nv ears, our own Star Spangled /
Banner" The welcome sounds were
or second almost temptation to |
own NJ, hut recalling that carefully /
irawn diagrams Of works about Rich |.
noua lay concealed in the collar of
ny coat | resisted and remained
mute. | did not regret my prudence F.
when another voice favored me with !
his remark:
I'VE uns, Yanks of the Fifth New
Jersey Cavalry" The unmistakable
Southern dialect. together with the
-esimental numerals, two higher than
he little State could boast, settled
nv opinion of the status of our visi-
.ors, just as their leader furnished a
,liucheg by asking What will You
give in gold or greenbaeks If We let
you go on ?" l simply repeated my
tale of the morning, assuring him that
none Of my train had either or pres
,nt use for them; that We were quite
poweriess to resist him. and il he saw
1T he might turn back the train, es-
,ort US to the capital and take the
consequences OF interfering with gov
srnmet property. II was bluff against
bluff, but like Mercu:io's wound 1t
served
Upon the blanket where had been
sleeping lay pair of gloves which
had been given me in Richmond.